UCF was getting the bat on pitches from Kent State pitcher Janel Hayes but not getting them on the sweet spot. The ball was flying but not getting much of anywhere. Hayes’ change of speed and devastating changeup were stymying the hitters.
Entering the sixth inning down just one run, but without many hits to show for it.
There was confidence though. That breakthrough was coming. Even with the the Knights struggling on offense and all the offensive baggage that had come in games before, the team just needed a little push.
A leadoff runner to get on base, a few well-placed bunts and a bit of luck.
It seemed once the Knights got those first critical hits they were ready to let the floodgates open. Those four runs that came in the sixth inning to give the Knights a 4-2 win over the Kent State Golden Flashes at the UCF Softball Complex on Tuesday were the product of sticking with things and getting the job done.
No one could have asked for Courtney Rotton to pop up to shallow left field and to see Holly Speers drop the seemingly easy out to end the inning. That helped the Knights score the leadoff walk and the perfect sacrifice bunt from Tiffany Lower.
That cleared the way for Jessica Ujvari for a crushing shot to center field by the scoreboard and deliver the four runs the Knights desperately needed against Hayes.
“I think we were hitting a lot,” Ujvari said. “We didn’t watch a lot of pitches. We were getting a little under at times. Once we found the middle of the ball and stayed connected to it, that’s when you saw great things. I believed in my team, I always do. To see them pull through and to help out with a few runs was really good.”
Ujvari said there was no doubt entering the sixth inning. She said they knew they were hitting the ball and their time was coming. They took advantage of the pitches they were finally given.
Entering the sixth inning, the Knights had just one hit, a dribbling single past the shift into center field from Willow Kalinen at the end of the fifth inning. Before that UCF was struggling to get runners on base with Linnea Goodman reaching on an error on the first at bat of the game.
It took UCF a while to find that middle. And even then, Ujvari and Cassady Brewer were the only players to deliver outfield hits.
It took a while for the Knights to get their timing and settle down. Drawing a walk from Kalyn Cenal on the first at bat of the sixth inning set the Knights up for the big inning. And they finally got a play to go their way that they could take advantage of in the error.
“It always gives you energy to get the leadoff on,” coach Renee Leurs-Gillispie said. “You know something is going to happen. You know you are going to get her to second base. You know we’ve got great hitters that are going to be coming up behind them. It was that energy in that inning that really started everything up.”
The sixth inning really seemed to be a culmination of a lot of work for the Knights. Gillispie said the team practiced its sacrifice bunting that day before. That was important in getting runners over and even putting the ball in play to pressure the defense. The bunts in the sixth inning were both placed at the perfect spot to put maximum pressure on the infielders covering it, dying right between home plate and the pitchers circle along the first-base line.
The Knights were able to get pressure and get themselves out of plenty of pressure.
“We’ve had big last-inning heroic situations,” Leurs-Gillispie said. “They have come through with big hits when we need them. I don’t think they ever doubt themselves getting in later innings that they can get those hits. It’s something natural for them. They knew they were capable of doing it.”
Shelby Turnier pitched five innings giving up three hits including a second-inning home run to Bailey Brownfield. She struck out seven. But she also walked five batters. She got herself into a jam in the fifth inning with three walks. Brittany Solis helped save the Knights there with a great over-the-shoulder catch running into left field to end the inning.
Jamie Ujvari was officially credited with the win in relief, pitching the final two innings giving up only a two-out home run for the final margin.
The Knights showed resolve coming from behind to get the win and scratching out the at bats, walks and runs it would take to beat likely the best team from the MAC.
UCF has showed their mettle but get back to work again Wednesday against Georgia Tech before a weekend showdown with Florida State.
“I think it’s just feeding off this,” Leurs-Gillispie said. “Feeding off the energy we had in this game. it was a challenging game. We were kind of sluggish at first. Drawing from that energy and coming from behind and getting a win will be important going into tomorrow’s game.”
